by Codi Gary
She handed Jared a brown box of ornaments and inside were all of their friends and family. “We got everyone together yesterday and Olive took the pictures.”
Jared stared down at all of the smiling faces, his eyes stinging. He picked one of his mom and dad and hung it on the tree. A sparkly glass ornament caught his eye, trimmed in black and silver glitter. He set the box down and plucked it from the branches.
I LOVE YOU.
Jared held it out to her. “What about this one?”
Anna Beth’s cheeks turned red. “I think that’s self-explanatory.”
“Still, I’d like to know.” Jared stared at her, afraid to blink for fear he might wake up and realize this was just a fantasy. “Say it. Please.”
“I love you, Jared. So very much. And I’m sorry. I was an ass and I just—”
Jared pulled her into his arms and kissed her, cradling her face in his hands. He poured every ounce of love into the melding of their lips, kissing her until they were both gasping. When they parted, he placed his forehead against hers. “Me too. I’m such a stubborn idiot.”
Anna Beth released a wet laugh. “Yeah, you are, but I still adore you.”
Jared caressed her cheek. “Anna Beth…”
“Do you like the tree?” she whispered.
“I love the tree. I love…I love you, A.B.”
“Jared,” she whispered.
He kissed her again and the world exploded. Fireworks. Violins. Angels singing.
Wait, he wasn’t imaging that. People were actually singing.
He broke the kiss and glanced around. “Do you hear that?”
“Yeah, that’s another surprise for you, in case the tree didn’t convince you.”
“I’m afraid to ask.”
“Come on.” She took his hand and dragged him over to the door. When he opened it, on his front lawn stood their family and friends, caroling.
“We wish you a merry Christmas…”
Anna Beth wrapped her arms around his waist, grinning. “They knew how much I love you and offered to help.”
“You did all this for me?” Jared asked, holding her against him.
“There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you.”
Jared kissed her temple as his arms tightened around her. “You really are the greatest gift.”
“I feel the same way.”
About the Author
Codi Gary loves writing books almost as much as she loves outings with her family and snuggling with her adorable fur babies. An RWA Honor Roll author of more than twenty romance novels and novellas, her goals are to make her readers laugh one minute and cry the next in the best way possible. When she isn’t glued to her computer, she can be found reading fantastic books, catching up on all the shows she loves, and taking pictures of her beautiful kids. To keep up with her releases, cover reveals, and crazy antics, just go to her website at http://www.codigarysbooks.com and sign up for her newsletter.
Acknowledgements
To my family, for being my support system and cheerleaders. You are outstanding and I love you. A very special thank you to Tina Klinesmith. I have an amazing best friend who fits me in a way no one ever has. She is funny, kind, sassy, and smart. She is an amazing mother, wife, and friend. I love her. She is my person. I would take a bullet…okay, maybe not a bullet, but a knife in a non-vital organ, for her. Thank you, Tina, for everything you do! You complete me. Victoria Colotta, my beautiful, talented friend. Thank you so much for the amazing graphics you design. Your work is always impeccable. And as always, thank you for my readers. You are wonderful rock stars.